Meet Lillian
Lillian Cumic is the author of the cookbooks- Hawai‘i A Vegan Paradise, Tasting Hawai‘i Vegan Style, and Hawai‘i Washoku, and a Hawai‘i-based vegan chef, columnist, and former model. She shares how to nourish your paradise from the inside out and the outside in, empowering you to live a conscious, vibrant, and healthy lifestyle.
TURN YOUR WORLD INTO A NOURISHING PARADISE.
Nourishing Paradise
Lillian grew up in Sydney, then moved to Japan for 30 years where she embraced the principles of Washoku—which translates to “the harmony of food.” She blends traditional Japanese flavors with island-inspired cuisine, all grounded in her passion for conscious, plant-based living. Her work inspires others to eat mindfully, live intentionally, and transform your world into a NOURISHING PARADISE.
“If there's one chef who's proving that plant-based food can be exciting, creative, and delicious, Lillian Cumic. Like the elaborate Kaisei dinner, which is served with a lot of intention, Lillian shows the same deep thinking and creativity in creating these plant-based dishes that highlight Hawai'i's unique bounty.”
-Chef Sam Choy
UPCOMING EVENTS THIS MARCH
Books
Hawaiʻi: A Vegan Paradise is your perfect introduction to plant-based cooking, crafted by one of Honolulu’s leading vegan chefs. In this beautifully illustrated cookbook, Lillian invites you on a flavorful journey through Hawaiʻi’s rich culinary culture—reimagining island favorites with a vibrant, vegan twist. From a simple tofu poke to a hearty plant-based Loco Moco topped with sunny-side-up vegan eggs, and Meyer lemon cupcakes that satisfy every sweet craving, each recipe is a celebration of taste and tradition.
With over 175 colorful and approachable dishes, this book is designed to inspire everyone—from curious beginners to seasoned home cooks. It also includes practical tips for stocking your pantry and embracing a plant-based lifestyle you can share with your ‘ohana for everyday meals and special occasions alike.
With over 120 Island-inspired recipes, all plant-based and gluten-free, Tasting Hawaiʻi Vegan Style opens your mind to the myriad of possibilities the plant kingdom offers and gives you the confidence to take on a healthy vegan lifestyle. Tasting Hawaiʻi Vegan Style features over 120 island-inspired vegan recipes—all plant-based AND gluten-free—that celebrate the vibrant flavors of Hawaiʻi through a plant-based approach. From local favorites like Chik’n Hekka, Kalua “Pork,” and colorful poke bowls to crave-worthy Lobsta Rolls, a whole chapter on plant-based cheeses, and decadent desserts, this cookbook reimagines comfort food with a unique twist- infused with Lillian’s expertise in Washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine. Whether you're new to meatless dishes or a seasoned plant-based foodie, this beautifully crafted collection is the perfect addition to your home cooking and a delicious gift to share with others.
Hawaiʻi Washoku unites one of the world’s great cuisines with the spirit of Aloha to create harmony and peace at your table. Through a superbly photographed collection of over 175 plant-based and gluten-free Japanese recipes, vegan chef Lillian Cumic’s third cookbook is the ultimate chaperone for reimagining Japanese recipes into deliciously “planted” successes. Lillian began her cooking career in Japan where she lived for thirty years and fell in love with the people, its culture, and the food, leading her to the way of washoku and a whole new outlook on the dining experience.
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